DEPTFORD, NJ– [Photos by Stellios Lambrou]
In what has become an annual tradition spanning more than a decade, Philadelphia-area volunteers hosted their 12th Annual Banquet to Benefit IOCC at Adelphia Restaurant in Deptford, New Jersey, on October 29, supporting the worldwide humanitarian and development work of International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC).
The Greater Philadelphia Committee’s guest of honor was His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey who addressed the audience with a special message. The keynote speaker was IOCC Executive Director and CEO Constantine M. Triantafilou, who presented the latest updates on IOCC’s worldwide programs.
The gala event was organized by more than 30 local volunteers who make up the Greater Philadelphia Committee of IOCC. The group represents various Orthodox Christian jurisdictions and reflects the wide support IOCC’s humanitarian mission enjoys across the area. Chaired by Tony Pantazopoulos, the committee has organized numerous successful pan-Orthodox annual benefits supporting IOCC’s emergency relief and development programs both in the U.S. and around the world.
Nationwide, individual volunteers and groups like the Philadelphia-area committee raise over $700,000 annually in support of IOCC’s global work.
International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is the humanitarian relief and development agency of the Assembly of Canonical Bishops of the United States of America. Since its inception in 1992, IOCC has provided more than $800 million in humanitarian relief and sustainable development programs in over 60 countries worldwide. Today, IOCC applies its expertise in humanitarian response to natural and manmade crises in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States, offering assistance based solely on need.
Learn more at iocc.org and follow @IOCCRelief on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.